LC Meridian

Issue date: 9/1/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

It was a warm evening at Lehman's Greek-inspired amphitheatre on August 1. Audience members sat looking at the black portable flooring, which they were told was perfect for barefoot dancing. They laughed at the humorous hip-hop routine called "Hip-Hop Statue," in which the stone columns and steps of the amphitheatre became props. They smiled at the sweetness of "History of Love" that combined ballet with modern movements.

The performance by The Bronx Dance Workshop included choreography from Lehman students and alumni and was directed by adjunct dance professor Amy Larimer, who sets a personal example of how to fulfill one's dreams.

Professor Larimer performed in Pittsford Mendon High School musicals in Rochester, where she was raised. This led to a major in dance at Connecticut College. Upon graduating Phi Beta Kappa, she danced for eight years with the Nicholas Leichter Modern Dance Company, which has toured over 50 U.S. cities and 10 countries. She obtained a yoga certificate and studied Buddhist Philosophy, and continued creating her own works with other choreographers. She received her M.F.A. in 2007 from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

"My work tends to be theatrical," said Larimer. "They are inspired by the little questions that stay around a lot and don't go away. My dances are not generally only movement, but psychological and emotional, with humor, costumes, plus character development."

Larimer explained that modern dance is a tradition which began with individuals expressing themselves through movement in their own unique ways. She added that Lehman is now offering a B.F.A. in dance/theatre and a minor in dance.

"I want Lehman to be a place where new choreographers are born, as well as dancers," said Larimer.

Her idea to form The Bronx Dance Workshop, the dance company at Lehman, came last fall with the support of Dante Albertie, director of the Lehman Stages, and Patricio Lerzundi, head of the Journalism Department. The company held their first concert in the Lovinger Theatre in April 2008.

According to Rachel Jenkins, a 26-year-old theatre senior and stage manager for many shows at Lehman, the dance backgrounds of those who perform include ballroom, tap, jazz, ballet, modern, and hip-hop.

"At the end of that performance, I had a conversation with the dancers asking what they were interested in," explained Larimer. "They wanted additional dance training to sharpen their own dance techniques within their peer dance group. The dancers in the workshop provide classes for one another, sharing their own dance knowledge and receiving valuable teacher training."

This fall, she is teaching three classes: Movement for Actors and Dancers, Dance Perspectives, and Professional Repertory Workshop in Contemporary Dance.

"I love dance because it feels like my first language," explained Larimer. "For whatever reason, I feel most like myself when I'm dancing," said Larimer.

Maurice Dean, who took part in the Larimer's August dance production, is the director of Hip-Hop Theory, a Bronx-based dance group. He is a 26-year-old Lehman theatre graduate. He is currently working at New World Stages on West 50th Street, and divides his time between teaching hip-hop at Lehman and the Riverdale Community Center, and choreographing for Hip- Hop Theory.

Professor Larimer encourages dancers and aspiring choreographers to not be nervous about taking dance classes at Lehman. Dean shares a similar view.

"The more knowledge you have the better you can do," he said. "Never say you can't do it until you try."

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